Guyana’s most skilled tennis players will look to add to their accolades when they compete over the next few weeks in the GBTI Open lawn tennis tournament.
The yearly fixture, seen as the most important local fixture on the Guyana Lawn Tennis Association’s (GLTA) Calendar, is expected to attract the country’s top players, and even those who think they have what it takes to challenge the highly experienced. If this year’s tournament goes similarly to that of last year’s, fans, supporters and parents can expect to see a number of thrilling matches and shocking results.
The winners’ row after completion of last year’s GBTI Open
What makes this year’s tournament even more special is that it is the 10th edition of this tournament which is hosted by the Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI)Limited.
Play in this tournament is expected to begin from 5pm at the GBTI Tennis Courts at Kaieteur Road, Bel Air Park.
Following this evening’s opener, weekday matches will begin at 5pm, while weekend fixtures will begin from 9am.
Last year’s Open champion in the male division was Anthony Downes, and it is expected that this decorated and experienced player will return to make his mark once again. In a surprising twist, the female Open champion in 2018 — Kalyca Fraser, who copped the win after Cristy Campbell — was forced to forfeit the game due to injury.
The male and female junior champions were Mark Mc Donald and Sarah Klautky. Heimraj Resaul and Kalyca Fraser had teamed up to take top honours in the mixed doubles category.
Play will be staged today in the following singles categories: Ladies’ Open, Men’s Open, Junior Girls’ Open, Junior Boys’ Open, Novice’s Medley, Men’s Over-35 and Men’s Over-45.
In the doubles category, there will be the Ladies’ Open, Men’s Open, Mixed Open, Men’s Over-35 and Novice’s Medley.
